Motor-actuated suspension type support device



1.. s. suozzo 3,033,506

MOTOR-ACTUATED SUSPENSION TYPE SUPPORT DEVICE Filed July 26, 1960 May 8, 1962 INVENTOR. Zt'O/YA R0 5, 500220 ATTORNEY United States Patent ()fiice 3,033,505 Patented May 8, 1962 3,033,506 MOTOR-ACTUATED SUSPENSION TYPE SUPPORT DEVICE Leonard S. Suozzo, Hackensack, NJ.

(50 Church St., New York 7, N.Y.) Filed July 26, 1960, Ser. No. 45,394 12 Claims. (Cl. 248-58) This invention relates generally to support devices. The invention pertains, in one of its more specific aspects, to a motor-actuated suspension type support device for supporting a load, such as piping or the like, which is positioned below and. exerts a downward pull on the device.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a motor-actuated support device having simplified and improved features of construction and design; j

Another object of the invention is to provide a motor actuated support device for supporting a suspended load, the device being adapted to automatically adjust itself in response to variations inla condition of the load.

This invention has for another object the provision of a support deviceof the characterindicated, including a drive motor, gear means and other moving parts which are positioned within a housing, the various parts of the device being so constructed and arranged as to minimize friction between relatively moving parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide a motoractuated support device that is simple and compact in design; that is sturdy and durable in construction; that is reasonable in manufacturing, installation and maintenance costs; and that is capable of performing its intended functions in a dependable and satisfactory manner.

An important feature of the invention resides in the fact that the actuating motor is adapted to be placed into and out of active service and cooperate with other parts to impart a positive supporting force to a load in response to variations in a condition of the load, such as (l) variations in the force exerted by the load on the device of the invention, (2) variations in the vertical position of a selected element which is carried by and is movable with the load, and (3) variations in the temperature of a piping system or the like, which may constitute the load. Moreover, the device may be responsive to variations in two or more of the indicated conditions of the load, as will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.

Various types of motors for actuating the device may be employed. While an electric motor is preferred for reasons of compactness and economy, it will be appreciated that other forms of motors or prime movers, such as a fluid motor, may be used in lieu of an electric motor, if desired. The ensuing detailed description and the accompanying drawing disclose a form of the invention having, by way of example, an electric motor incorporated therein.

The enumerated objects, together with additional objects and the advantages of the invention, will be readily understood by persons trained in the art from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawing which respectively describe and illustrate a preferred and recommended form of support device of this invention.

In the drawing wherein like reference numerals identify corresponding parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a view in central vertical cross section of a motor-actuated suspension type support device constructed in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a view on a reduced scale taken along line The housing includes a bottom wall 6 and an upstanding tubular side wall 7 which is open at each end. The lower end of the side wall is provided with an outwardly extending flange 8 which is secured to the bottom wall by screws 9. The housing also includes a hollow cover 10 which is open at its lower end. The cover comprises a top wall 11 and a circular depending wall 12 which projects into the upper end of side wall 7. Wall 12 has a pair of diametrically opposed vertical slots 13 which extend upwardly from its lower extremity. Housing side wall 7 is equipped with a pair of inwardly projecting coaxial pins 14, each of which carries a rotary guide wheel 15 that registers with a corresponding slot 13. The illustrated arrangement of guide wheels 15 and slots 13 permits vertical movement between cover 10 and side wall 7 but prevents relative angular movement between these parts.

A tubular support 16 is positioned within the housing and attached to bottom wall 6. The tubular support is closed at its lower end 17 wherein there is provided a central through opening 18. Mounted within the tub-11- lar support are a thrust bearing 20 and a sleeve bearing 21.

The device ofthis invention includes a driven gear unit 22 which includes a rigid frame or cage consisting of a circular lower member 23 having a central through opening 24, a circular upper member 25 which is spaced from and parallel to member 23 and which has a tapped central opening 26 that is coaxial with opening 24, and a pair of spaced parallel side members 27. A gear wheel 28 is integral with the frame and extends laterally and outwardly beyond side members 27. As shown in FIG. 1, the gear wheel is positioned substantially midway between the upper and lower ends of the frame.

A vertical shaft 30, having a head 31, extends through openings 24 and 18 and is welded to the housing bottom wall as indicated at 32. This shaft is out of direct contact with the portion of member 23 which defines opening 24 so as to obviate friction between these parts during use. The device includes a thrust bearing 33 which is positioned between frame member 23 and shaft head 31 to minimize rotational friction between these parts.

A vertically disposed threaded rod or screw shaft 35 engages the threads in tapped opening 26 of the gear unit. This rod extends through and is anchored to cover wall 11 by a weldment 36. The lower end of rod 3-5 projects into the opening defined by gear unit 22 and carries a stop collar 37. The upper end of the rod is provided with an eye 38 which forms a pivot connection with a pin 39. This pin is affixed to a bracket 40 which is secured to an overhead support 41 or the like in any desired manner known to the art.

Positioned within the housing is a combined electric motor and reducing gear unit 4-2 which is mounted on and fastened to housing bottom wall 6 in the usual manner. The motor component of unit 42 may be of any suitable known reversible type and is adapted to be connected to a source of electric energy supply (not shown) by electric leads 43. The motor is adapted, through the medium of reducing gears, to impart rotation to a vertical drive shaft 44. A driving gear 45 is afiixed to the upper end of shaft 44 and meshes with gear 28.

As was stated earlier herein, the device of this invention is adapted to support a load, such as piping (not shown). The load is adapted to be suspended from a load-carrying unit which, for purposes of simplicity, is indicated in the drawing as comprises a rod 46 that is located below the housing. As shown, rod 46 is coaxial with shaft 30 and threaded rod 35.

The device of the invention includes a control mecha nism 47 that is responsive to variations in one or more of the indicated conditions of the load, such as variations in the force exerted by the load on the device. Mechanism 47 is interposed between and connected to housing bottom wall 6 and load-carrying unit 46. This mechanism actuates switch means (not shown) which is connected to the motor by electric leads 48 to place the motor into or out or" active service, as required by conditions at a particular time.

Mechanism 47 may be of any suitable type known to the art. It may, for example, be generally the same or similar in construction to that disclosed in J. K. Wood Patent No. 2,248,730, granted July 8, 1941, for Support Device. It is deemed sufficient for the purposes of this application to point out that mechanism 47 is responsive to variations in a condition of the load to alternately close and open an electric switch (not shown) whereby to place unit 42 into and out of active service in a manner similar to that disclosed in said Wood patent.

For the purpose of outlining the operation of the illustrated form of the invention, it is assumed that the parts are in the relative position shown in FIG. 1 and that a load, such as piping (not shown), is connected to and suspended below load-carrying unit 46. It is also assumed that electric leads 4-3 are connected to a convenient source of electric energy supply (not shown). At such time as a condition of the load, such as the force exerted thereby on the device, changes a predetermined extent, mechanism 47 completes the electric circuit to unit t2 thereby placing that unit into active service. If the force exerted by the load has been increased above normal, unit 42 turns shaft 44 and drive gear 45 in one direction whereby gear unit 22 is turned in a corresponding direction to eiiect raising that unit, shaft 30 and parts connected to that shaft, including housing base 6 and side wall 7 and the load-carrying unit upwardly a sufficient distance relative to threaded rod 35 and housing cover 10, to compensate for the change. In the event that the condition has decreased, mechanism 47 closes the circuit to unit 42 whereby shaft 44, driving gear 45 and gear unit 22 are turned in corresponding reverse directions to eiiect sufficient lowering of the indicated parts of the device, including load-carrying unit 46, to compensate for the change. It will be appreciated that mechanism 47 is adapted to place unit 42 out of active service when conditions are corrected and that the motor component of unit 4-2 remains out or service until such times as circumstances require that it again be placed into active service.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the construction, operation, objects and advantages of my present invention will be readily comprehended by persons skilled in the art, without further description. It is to be clearly understood, however, that various changes in the construction described above and illustrated in the drawing may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, it being intended that all matter contained in the description or shown in the drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Iclaim:

1. In a support device, a substantially vertically disposed rod, means secured to the rod and adapted to be suspended from a supporting structure, said means preventing substantial angular movement of the rod about its axis, a load-carrying unit positioned at least partly below the rod, connector means coupling the load-carrying unit to the rod, said connector means being th-readedly connected to and movable along the rod, driving means cooperatively associated with the connector means for imparting movement of the connector means and the load-carrying unit along the rod, and means responsive to variations in a condition of a load that is adapted to act on the load-carrying unit, such as variations in the force applied to the load-carrying unit by the load, for alternately placing the driving means into and ont ot active service.

2. A support device according toclairn 1 wherein the first-recited means is pivotally connected to the rod to permit movement of the rod about a generally horizontal axis when the device is in normal use.

3. In a support device, a substantially vertically disposed rod, means secured to the rod and adapted to be suspended from a-supporting structure, said means preventing substantial angular movement of the rod about its axis, a load-carrying un-it positioned at least partly below the rod, connector means coupling the load-carrying unit to the rod, said coupling means comprising a gear unit threadedly connected to and movable along the rod, driving means including a gear engaging the gear unit for imparting rotary movement to the coupling unit relative to the rod, and means responsive to variations in a condition of a load that is adapted to act on the loadcarrying unit, such as variations in the force applied to the load-carrying unit by the load, for alternately placing the driving means into and out of active service.

4. A support device according to claim 3 including means permitting rotation of the gear unit relative to the load-carrying unit and preventing rotation of the loadcarrying unit relative to the rod.

5. In a support device, an upstanding housing including an upper part and a lower part extending below the upper part, means permitting generally vertical relative movement and preventing relative angular movement between said parts, a member secured to the housing upper part and projecting into the interior of the housing, a loadcarrying unit secured to the housing lower part, connector means coupling the load-carrying unit to the member, said connector means being movable relative to the member, driving means carried by the housing lower part and cooperatively associated with the connector means for imparting vertical movement to the connector means, the lower housing part and the load-carrying unit relative to the member, and means responsive to variations in a condition of a load that is adapted to act on the load-carrying unit, such as variations in the force applied to the load-carrying unit by the load, for alternately placing the driving means into and out of active service.

6. In a support device, an upstanding housing including an upper part and a lower part extending below the upper part, means permitting generally vertical relative movement and preventing relative angular movement between said parts, a vertically disposed rod secured to the housing upper part and extending into the interior of the housing, a load-carrying unit secured to the housing lower part, connector means coupling the load-carrying unit and the lower housing part to the rod, said connector means being movable along the rod, rotary driving means carried by the housing lower part, means connected to the driving means and the connector means for translating rotary movement of the driving means into vertical movement of the connector means along the rod, and means responsive to variations in .a condition of a load that is adapted to act on the load-carrying unit, such as variations in the force applied to the load-carrying unit by the load, for alternately placing the driving means into and out of active service.

7. A support device according to claim 6 wherein the rod is provided with threads and the connector means includes a rotary element having internal threads which engage the rod threads.

8. A support device according to claim 6 including suspending means secured to a portion of the rod remote from the connector means and adapted to suspend the device from a supporting structure.

9. A support device according to claim 8 wherein the device suspending means is pivotally connected to the rod to permit movement of the rod about a generally horizontal axis when the device is in normal use.

10. A support device according to claim 9 wherein the suspending means prevents substantial movement of the rod about a vertical axis.

5 6 11. A support device according to claim 7 including of the rod about a vertical axis when the device is in normeans permitting rotation of the connector means relative mal use.

to the housing lower part and the load-carrying unit.

12. A support device according to claim 11 wherein References sited the file of thls Pawnt the suspending means is pivotally connected to the rod in 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS a manner to permit movement of the rod about a gener- 2,248,730 Wood July 8, 1941 ally horizontal axis and prevent substantial movement 2 919 0 3 Zoninger Dec. 2 1 5 

